OBJECTIVES: Anti-amyloid immunotherapies (AAIs) for early Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are currently under regulatory evaluation. To adequately diagnose and treat patients with early AD, it is critical to adapt the current patient pathway. Previous research aimed to assess current clinical practice and available infrastructure in the EU4+UK, to identify potential bottlenecks, and to propose solutions to increase patient access to AD AAIs. A new phase of research has since been conducted to update and improve on previous estimates of healthcare system capacity for AD AAIs in France.

METHODS: This new phase aimed to update previous work through a more precise selection of centers which already have or will have an AD relevant department for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with early AD. It was also an opportunity to update the analysis with new data and assumptions validated within a national advisory board, including neurologist, neuroradiologist (hospital and private practice), nuclear radiologist, public heath doctor and a nurse specialized in the AD patient pathway.

RESULTS: The proportions of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lumbar puncture (LP) for CSF testing and positron emission tomography (PET) scans that are conducted in neurology departments today, and specifically for AD, differ from one center to another. Healthcare system capacity to adequately diagnose and treat patients with early AD will depend on human resource (neurologists, neuroradiologists, nuclear radiologists...) as well as the infrastructure (number of scanners / machines, beds, etc.) available for AD patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Memory centers received an accreditation based on criteria / resources mainly focused on the diagnosis stage of the patient pathway. With the upcoming launches of AAIs, the optimization of resources as well as the collaboration between all medical AD teams will be critical to ensure access to AAIs for all eligible patients.